Bedlington Terriers kick-off season at home to Dunston

Andrew McDonnell – Bedlington Terriers FC correspondent

Bedlington Terriers will open up the new EBAC Northern League season at home against the 2012 FA Vase winners Dunston UTS on Saturday, August 8.

The Terriers will also conclude their season in front of their own fans as Durham City are the visitors on April 23 as they will be looking to put last season’s disappointments behind them.

New Terriers manager Andy Ferrell said: “It doesn’t really get much tougher than Dunston, to be honest. I would imagine that they’d be up there once again this season and I am expecting a very good game.

“Our start doesn’t get much harder, but that doesn’t bother me in the slightest because we have to play every team over the course of the season anyway.”

The former Newcastle United man has dubbed pre-season as “vital” and that his team won’t be unfit as he wants them to have the “right mentality”.

The first derby against Ashington is just seven weeks into the season on August 31 at Woodhorn Lane, and just like last season, the reverse fixture is on Boxing Day at Welfare Park.

They face champions Marske United at the GER Stadium on October 3 with the anticipated return fixture at Welfare Park on February 23.

The manager added: “Ashington were pretty poor last season, I will be surprised if they aren’t better this season, but the derbies are a different game and one that I am looking forward too.

“Every game this year we will be going for it, wanting the three points or to qualify for the next rounds of the cups.”

Only one of the final eight games comes against a top ten side from last season, Guisborough Town at home.

Norton & Stockton Ancients, Seaham Red Star and Washington are the new teams in the league and the Terriers play the latter second last game of the season at the Nissan Sports Ground.

“I think the newly promoted sides will be alright, Washington especially, they have signed a fair few good players, but the main aim for us this year is to be comfortable and consistent all year,” Ferrell added.

“Anybody can beat anybody on any given day, there is no such thing as a weakened side, and I want to have consistency in my side this season.”

The League Cup draw was also made and Bedlington will go up against former player John Egan and his Alnwick Town team at home with the date and kick-off time to be confirmed.

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